Looking for some free things to do this Christmas? Greenville, SC is a wonderful place for free holiday fun! We’ve rounded up top picks that are both friendly to your wallet and fun for your family during your holiday break. Add a few to your calendar to get you out of the house and away from the shopping frenzy.
For even more holiday fun, don’t miss the Ultimate Holiday Guide to Greenville, SC. It’s packed full of things to do, gift ideas, events, and more!
Free Things to Do: Christmas in Greenville, SC
The St Francis Festival Of Trees
This FREE event is hosted by The St. Francis Foundation is with us again. Your family can stroll through one of two downtown locations to admire the decorated Christmas trees.
November 17th – December 25th, 2023
- Hyatt Regency Greenville, 220 N Main Street Greenville, SC 29601
- Courtyard Marriot Downtown, 50 West Broad Street Greenville, SC 29601
Santa At Cabela’s Winter Wonderland
November 4th, 2023 through December 24, 2023
Head over to Greenville to visit Santa at Cabela’s! You can get your photo taken with Santa for free and kids can enjoy making a different craft every week leading up to Christmas. In Santa’s, Winter Wonderland kids can also write a letter to Santa for free!
Holiday Hop in Travelers Rest, SC (November 25th, 2023)
Tree Lighting, Christmas kids craft station, stories with Mrs. Claus, Free professional photos with Santa (available for download after the event) all on Main Street in Travelers Rest, SC.
Sheep Trail by Messy Church Aldersgate UMC (December 8-29, 2023): Find sheep downtown using the trail card and write their unique names while exploring new shops & stores!
Ride the Trolley and Attend the FREE Holiday Happening Events in Downtown Greenville: Free events include the Christmas parade, tree lighting, free trolley rides, postcard displays, window displays, and the Festival of Trees.
Drop off letters to Santa at these Santa Mail Drop-off Locations: Make sure your letter to Santa arrives on time.
Lake Lure Flowering Bridge: This is a short day trip from Greenville but totally worth it. The Flowering Bridge in Lake Lure, NC is free and during Christmas, they light it up! See our story on the cool bridge, which also includes things to do in the Chimney Rock Village just down the street (I’d recommend getting hot chocolate).
Holiday Free Parking
The City of Greenville will be having FREE parking on December 16th and 17th, 2023. Garages include:
- North Laurens Street Garage
- West Washington Garage
- Broad Street Garage
- Richardson Street Garage
- 2 West End Parking Lots
- South Main Parking Lot
- Over 900 free on-street spaces
Parking will be FREE for all city-owned garages December 23rd – 25th, 2023, and January 1st, 2024.
More Holiday Fun With Kidding Around Greenville
Christmas Parades around the Upstate
While many of these parades are happening before Christmas break begins, your time is still well-spent browsing the list and making at least one other holiday parade a key feature of your December.
The 2023 Holiday Light Tour
Kidding Around has created a map with suggested driving routes to make this socially distant tradition easy! Load the family in the car and follow these routes for a super simple, yet super special, night (or nights) of enjoying Holiday lights together.
Personal Home Light Shows and Drive-thru Professional Displays around the Upstate
Kidding Around has put together a handy-dandy list of homes and businesses in the upstate that allow for drive-by holiday lights at a masterful level. While many of the professional displays cost money, there are lots of free opportunities as well. Nothing beats free and warm inside your car during December. You can check the list by scrolling down to “Home Synchronized Light Shows.”
Live Nativities around the Upstate
We have also assembled all the MVPs hosting Live Nativities this year. The live animals and actors are always entertaining and slightly unpredictable—just a great tradition for your family to begin all around.